Controller



Jan. 29, 1929. 1,700,588

R. T. KINTZING CONTROLLER Filed Aug. 14, 1926 WITNESSES:

INVENTOR Reese 7f K/nfzinq 7 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 29, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REESE T. KINTZING, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VAN IA.

CONTROLLER.

This invention relates to control apparatus and more particularly to controllers for motors.

The object of my invention, generally stated, is the provision of a controller that shall be simple and eliicient in operation and capable of being readily and economically manufactured.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a controller in which connections for closing a predetermined circuit cannot be set up without first positioning the controller handle in its olf position.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the mechanical operation of a loosely mounted contact segment by means of a fixed contact segment disposed to be moved into engagement therewith to make electrical contact.

Further objects of the invention will, in part, be obvious, and in part, will appear hereinafter.

This invention, accordingly, is disclosed in the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawing and comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exempliiied in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the a 'rplication of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a view, in side elevation, of a controller constructed in accordance with this invention, the casing being removed to show the relation of the operating parts;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line IIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view, in horizontal section, taken along the line 111 111 of Fig. 1, showing the relation of the operating members;

Fig. 4: is a view, in horizontal section, taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 1, showing the shape of one of the contact segments, and

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the manner in which the controller may be connected for controlling the operation of a motor.

Referring to the drawing, the reference character 10 designates, generally, a controllcr casing comprising a base 11 and a removable curved cover 12. As shown, a plurality Serial No. 129,115.

of lugs 13 are provided on the base 11 for use in attaching it to any support.

In order to provide for the mounting of the cover 12 in position on the base, threaded. openings 14: are tapped in the base 11. Openings 15 are drilled in the cover 12 and disposed to aline with the threaded openings 14. wnen the cover is in position. Screws 16 may be utilized for attaching the cover in position on the base.

It will be observed, by reference to Fig. 2, that a drum 17 for carrying the contact segments, is rotatably suspended from the base 11. In this particular construction, the drum is carried by a shaft 18 which is rotatably mounted in an end bearing 19 that is formed integral with the base of the casing.

In order to facilitate the mounting of the contact segments, such as shown generally at 20 and 21, the drum 17 is made in three sections 22, 23 and 2 1. Since the drum is used for carrying contact segments, it will be malde from some suitable insulating materia As illustrated, the end drum sect-ion 22, which is cylindrical, is provided with a sleeveshaped projection 25 on one end, which is made of the proper reduced diameter to receive the contact segment 20. The drum section 22 may be attached to the shaft in any suitable manner, as by the use of a pin 26 which is driven through the sleeve 25 into the shaft.

The intermediate drum section 23 is similar in shape to drum section 22 and is provided with a sleeve 27 of reduced diamter for carrying the contact segment 21 and insulating it from the shaft 1.8. The upper end of the drum section 23 has a counter-sunk opening therein for the reception of the sleeve 25 of the drum section 22. In this manner, the drum section 23 may be utilized for retaining the contact segment 20 in position on the drum section 22.

The third drum section 2 1 is substantially cylindrical in shape and abuts against the lower end of the sleeve 27, thereby serving to retain the contact segment 21 in position on the sleeve 27. The drum section 24 may be retained in position on the shaft 18 in any suitable manner and, in this particular construction, a nut 28, which engages the threaded end of the shaft, is provided.

As will be observed by reference to Figs. 1 and 3, the drum segment comprises a supporting disc 29 and two oppositely-disposed finger-engaging sections 30 and 31. A substantially ring-shaped member 32 is carried by the finger-engaging sections 30 and 31. As shown in Fig. 1, a portion of this ringshaped member 32 is cut away to provide spaced ends 33 and 34. Since it is desired to electrically connect the ring-shaped member 32 to the finger-engaging segments 30 and 31, the whole contact segment 20 may be formed in one piece.

In this particular embodiment of the invention, the drum segment 20 is disposed to rotate with the drum 17. In order to fin the segment 20 in the proper position relative to the drum, the pin 26 may be utilized.

The shape of the contact segment 21 is best illustrated in Fig. 4. As shown, the contact segment comprises a supporting discshaped portion 35 which is loosely mounted on the sleeve 27, and two opposi'tely-disposed finger-engaging sections 36 and 37. The finger-engaging segment 36 is provided for making electrical contact with a finger 41 to be described hereinafter, While the member 37 is utilized for retaining segment 21 in selected positions during predetern'iined angular movements of the drum 17.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 4, it will be observed that an upwardly extending projection 38 is provided on the finger-engaging segment 37. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the projection 38 is disposed between the ends 33 and 34 of the ring-shaped member 32.

Since the distance between the ends 33 and 34 of the member 32 is greater than the width of the projection 38, the contact segment 20 may be moved through a predetermined angle independently of the contact segment 21. Further, the projection 38 is disposed in alinement with the ends 33 and 34 of the member 32, so that the contact segment 20 will mechanically engage the contact segment 21 to effect the movement of the latter and to establish electrical connection between the two contact segments.

A plurality of contact fingers 39 to 42, inclusive, are mounted in the controller casing and are disposed to engage the contact seg ments 20 and 21. The contact fingers 39 and 40 are positioned to engage the contact seg ment 20 while the contact fingers 41 and 42 engage the loosely mounted contact segment 21; It will be observed, by reference to Fig. 4, that the spring finger 42 is disposed to engage in notches 43 and 44 that are cut in the finger-engaging section 37. In this manner, the loosely mounted contact segment 21 may be retained in predetermined positions, so that the contact segment 20 may be rotated relative thereto.

In order to provide a suitable mounting for the contact fingers 39 to 42, inclusive, a fingerboard 43 is supported in the back of the controller casing by means of bolts 44 (Fig. 1). The contact fingers 39 to 41, inclusive, may be mounted on the finger-board in any suitable manner and, in this construction, they are clamped in position by terminal members 45, which are attached to the finger-board by means of screws 46. The contactfinger 42 is not connected to a terminal member, being provided for mechanical purposes only, and is mounted by means of bolt 47.

A handle 48, that may be atfixed to the shaft 18, is provided for manually actuating the drum 17. The angular movement of the handle may be limited in any suitable manner and, in this case, stops 49 are provided on the upper part of the casing 10.

In order to clearly explain the operation of the controller, it will be assumed that it is connected, as shown in Fig. 5, to control the operation of a series motor 50. As will be observed from the diagram, an overload relay 51 is provided forbreaking the motor circuit when an excessive current flows. A line switch 52, that is provided with an electrical interlock 53, is also connected in the motor circuit. As will be observed, the actuating coil of the line-switch is connected between the source of supply 54 and the controller.

When the controller is set in its off-position, the finger-engaging section 30 of the contact segment 20 is located in advance of the contact finger 39 and, consequently, current does not flow through the actuating coil of line-switch 52.

Assuming that it is desired to set the motor in operation, the drum 17 is rotated forward by means of the handle 48, thus bringing the finger-engaging segment 30 into contact with he finger 39 and the member 32 into engagement with the projection 38 to establish both electrical and mechanical connection between the contact segments 20 and 21. Current will flow from source 54 through conductor 55, overload relay 51, conductor 56, actuating coil of line-switch 52, contact finger 39, finger-engaging segment 30, member 32, projection 38, finger-engaging segments 37 and 36, con- .tact finger 41 and conductor 57 to the source of supply. In this manner, the actuating coil of the line-switch 52 is energized and the line-switch closed. \Vhen the line-switch is closed, interlock 53 bridges contact terminals 58, which are connected in conductor 59 leading from contact finger 40 to supply conductor 57, thus holding line-switch 52 closed after contact finger 41 is disengaged from ment 36.

As will be observed from the diagram, this holding circuit extends from the actuating coil of line-switch 52 through contact finger 39, contact segment 20 and contact finger 40, conductor 59 and interlock 53, which bridges contact terminals 58, and conductor 57 to the source of supply.

When the line switch is closed, current flows from the source of supply through conductor 55, motor 50, line-switch 52 and conductor 57 to the source of supply. Since the line-switch holding circuit has been established tnrough interlock 53, the controller may be actuated from its initial operating position to its final position without opening the line-switch 52. Upon the rotation of the controller drum 1? to its final position, the loosely mounted contact segment 21 is rotated forward, thereby moving the finger-engaging segment 36 out of contact with the finger all.

If the supply of current, for any reason, is cut oil and the line-switch dropped out when the controll r is in its final position, the circuit of the actuating coil of line-switch 52 cannot be again energized until the controller is operated to project the finger-engaging segment 36 into engagement with finger ll.

In order to rotate the loosely mounted contact segment 21 to establish electrical connection between the segment 36 and the finger 41, the contact segment 20 is rotated backward, relative to the contact segment 21, to bring the end 3 i of the member 32 into engagement with the projection 88. It the counter-cloclcwiso movement of the contact segment 20 is contiinied after the contact segments are mechanically engaged, the lingerengaging segment 36 is moved into engagement with the contact finger ll. However, before electrical connection is established between the finger-engaging segment 36 and the contact finger d1, finger-engaging segment 30 of the contact segment 20 is moved to a position in advance of the contact finger 39 and the line-switch actuating circuit cannot be closed until the controller is again actuated in a forward direction.

ll hen the loosely mounted contact segment 21 is rotated to the limit of its movement in either direction, the finger l2 engages in one of the notches 43 or 44. In this manner, the contact segment 21 is retained in the position to which it is moved independently of the actuating means.

As set forth above, when the controller is advanced to move the contact segment 20 into engagement with the loosely mounted contact segment 21, the line-switch actuating circuit is closed. If, for any reason, the controller is rotated in the reverse direction and the contact segment 20 is moved out of engagement with contact segment 21, the line-switch actuating circuit is opened.

\Vhile the illustrated example constitutes a particular embodiment of my invention, I do not limit myself strictly to the details or arrangement herein illustrated, since, manitestly, they may be considerably varied without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a controller, in combination, a drum disposed for oscillatory movement, a plurality of contact segments carried by the drum, one of said contact segment-s being fixed to the drum and the other loosely mounted thereon, means carried by the contact segments for establishin electrical and mechanical connection thcreoetwcen when the drum is oscillated thereby to actuate the loosely mounted contact segment, and a plurality of contact fingers disposed to engage the contact segments when they are moved to different positions.

2. In a controller, in combination, a drum disposed "for oscillatory movement, a plurality of contact segments carried by the drum, one of said contact segn'ients being fixed to the drum and the other loosely mounted thereon, means carried by the contact segments for establishin electrical and mechanical connection therebetween when the drum is oscillated thereby to actuate the loosely mounted contact segment, a plurality of contact fingers disposed to engage the contactsegments when they are moved to different positions, and means for retaining the loosely mounted contact segment in dififerent positions during a predetern'nned angular movement of the other contact member.

3. In a controller, in combination, a drum mounted for oscillatory movement, intermeshing contact segments carried by the drum, one of said contact segments being fixed to the drum and the other movably mounted thereon, means for holding the loosely mounted contact segment during predeteri'nined angular moven'ients of the fixed contact segment, and contact fingers for engaging the contact segments.

4;. In a controller, in combination, a drum mounted for oscillatory movement, intermeshing contact segments carried by the drum, one of said contact segments being fixed to the drum and the other movably mounted thereon, means for holding the loosely mounted contact segment during predetermined angular movements of the fixed contact segment, and contact fingers for engaging the contact segments, one of the contact fingers being disposed to engage the loosely mounted contact segment when the controller is in off position and another to engage the fixed contact segment when the intermeshing contact segments are moved into engagement.

5. In a controller, in combination, a drum mounted for oscillatory movement, intermeshing contact segments carried by the drum, one of said contact segments being fixed to the drum and the other movably mounted thereon, means for holding the loosely mounted contact segment during predetermined angular movements of the fixed contact segment, and contact fingers for en gaging the contact segments, one of the contact fingers being disposed to engage the loosely mounted contact segment when the controller is in off position and another to engage the fixed contact se ment when the intermeshing contact segments are moved into engagement and said loosely mounted contact segment being shaped to move out of engagement with the contact finger when the drum is rotated.

6. In a controller, in combination, a drum mounted for oscillatory movement, intermeshing contact segments carried by the drum, one of said contact segments being fixed to the drum and the other movably mounted thereon, means for holding the loosely mounted contact segmentduring predetermined angular movements ol the fixed contact segment, a pair of oppositely positioned contact fingers for engaging the fixed contactsegment, and another contact finger for engaging the losely mounted contact segment, said fixed contact segment being shaped. to disengage the contact lingers when the con troller is in its on position and the loosely mounted contact segment being shaped to rclease the contact finger when the controller is in an operative position.

7. In a controller, in combination, a drum disposed for oscillatory movement, contact segments carried by the drum and insulated from one another, one of the contact segments being fixed to the drum and the other loosely mounted thereon, spaced members provided on the fixed contact member, and a projection provided on the loosely mounted contact member extending between the spaced members of the fixed contact segment thereby to provide for the electrical and mechanical engagement of the contact segments.

8. In a controller, in combination, a drum disposed for oscillatory movement, contact segments carried by the drum and insulated from one another, one of the contact segments being fixed to the drum and the other loosely mounted thereon, spaced members provided on the fixed contact member, a projection provided on the loosely mounted contact member extending between the spaced members of the fixed contact segment thereby to provide for the electrical and mechanical engagement of the contact segments, and a plurality of contact lingers disposed to engage the contact segments to establish predetermined connections.

9. In a controller, in combination, a drum disposed for oscillatory movement, contact segments carried by the drum and insulated from one another, one of the contact segments being fixed to the drum and the other loosely mounted thereon, spaced members provided on the fixed cont-act member, a. projection provi dyed on the loosely mounted contact member extending between the spaced members of the fixed contact segment thereby to provide for the electrical and mechanical engagement of the contact segments, a plurality of contact lingers disposed to engage the contact segments to establish predetermined connections, and means for holding the movable contact segments in dillerent positions to assure relative movement of the contact segments as the drum is oscillated.

10. In a controller, in combination, a drum disposed for oscillatory movement, a. plurality of contact segments carried by the drum, one of said contact segments being fixed on the drum and the other being loosely mounted thereon, means provided on the contact segnients for establishing electrical and mechm cal connection therebetween when the drum is oscillated thereby to actuate the loosely mounted contact segment, said loosely mounted contact segment being provided with notches, and a finger for engaging in the notches to retain the loosely mounted contact segment in predetermined positions when released from the fixed contact segment.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this lOth day of August,

REESE T. KINTZING. 

